Potchefstroom Hospital recently handed long service awards to 184 staff members who have served the hospital with loyalty and dedication at an event held at the hospital hall.
Some received 10-Years, 20-Years, 30-Years and some were recipients of 40-Years service awards.
The chief executive officer of the hospital, Gloria Tlhapi thanked God for the wonderful occasion. ‘All that is happening is by His grace. No man shall prevail by his own strength.’
Tlhapi said despite the dire challenges of funds in the department, the staff did a splendid job in organising the event.
The district chief director, Nella Mojanaga, thanked the staff for making a difference in the people’s lives and for being committed to their jobs. However, she cautioned that ‘We should not celebrate numbers, we should celebrate output.’
Mojanaga also stressed the importance of uplifting the institution’s staff, ‘There are those here who started as cleaners and have become secretaries and nurses. If you cannot hire a superstar, create your own,’ she said.
Mayor Kgotso Khumalo, a keynote speaker at the event, who was also born at the hospital says nurses and the staff deserve some recognition and would like to see hospital wards and street names named after the retired and long-serving nurses. ‘We must move away from repeating names of politicians when naming street names. This is to say thank you to those who came before us.’
When commenting on the awards, Khumalo says this is recognition to the stalwarts who have served the institution with loyalty and dedication. He believes that these long service awards will enhance the esteem of the employees. ‘Their self-worth is recognised and appreciated,’ he said.
He applauded the CEO and the executive. ‘What we see today is also the end-product of their good management practice that helps in staff retention,’ he said.
Senior assistant nurse, 60-year-old Mantwa Santho was a recipient of a 40-years Service Award. She says the secret of this loyal and dedicated service lies in doing your job with all your heart, patience and walking an extra mile for patients. ‘Nursing is a calling!’ she remarked.
Sister Santho says when she started her nursing career, they were always short-staffed, however, they were able to perform their duties diligently. ‘I had to walk with a torch at night to check on my patients, to treat them and dispense medication. Presently, there are a lot of nurses, however, it is not the same. I do not think nurses are walking an extra mile for their patients anymore,’ she said sadly.
This workaholic says 29 December will be her last day as she is hanging up her uniform. ‘I’ll come to assist them if they call me,’ she said.
She advised other nurses on how to perform their duties. ‘They should be on time for work, stop bunking work, be honest, and be patient…they must remember that they work with human beings.’
46-year-old Mamodiebe Qaba who served for 10 years in the food service department says she is happy about the award. ‘Before I prepare the food, I always ask God to bless the patients,’ she said. Amongst the qualities that have helped her persevere, is love for the patients.
The event closed with supper and serving of a health ice tea.
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